Like with many of my clients, I first met Hanna at a networking event and we ‘clicked’ right away. We went out for coffee together and really enjoyed getting to know each other. I was thrilled when she called me a few days later asking me to take pictures of her as she had been invited for an interview in a magazine and needed good pictures for it. Providentially, Hanna and I had just gotten to know each other, so she thought of me when the magazine interview came her way.
Hanna is a lawyer, and after working in law for so many years she was really feeling burnout, so she decided to use her law background for a career change. Hanna became a coach for other lawyers, helping them live their lives in a healthy balance, and busting the myth that high levels of stress are part and parcel of the lawyer’s job.
Although Hanna is extremely busy, as she still practices law, as well as her very successful coaching job, now she finds herself feeling fulfilled, not stressed and burnt out.
Based on her experiences with being and coaching lawyers, Hanna wrote a bestseller – The authentic Lawyer – which had 400 downloads after just one day on Amazon!
Hanna and I arranged a mutually convenient time to meet for the photography session. We used the ‘Office’ in the City Centre, and since it was the Jubilee weekend, the office was nice and quiet, with plenty of privacy for the makeup artist to do her work.
Lea the makeup artist gave me a lift and we met Hanna. Lea did her makeup so well – look at these before and after pictures; she makes Hanna look so nice and natural. This is what I like about Lea's work, that the women she works on look natural! Most women have a natural beauty and well-applied makeup just sharpens this natural look.
When Hanna was ready we all started walking towards the city centre, and on the way, we stopped and took photos. I love taking photos on the streets; I love the challenge, looking at the lighting which is always different depending on the position of the sun, and finding the best backgrounds which suit the picture. The textures and colours outside are amazing, and sometimes it is nice to have people in the background – it makes the pictures look more real. It was a sunny day so we really had perfect weather for the pictures, unlike those times when we are waiting for a break between the rain, and taking pictures from under awnings to protect my camera!
Later we stopped in a coffee shop and took some more amazing photos. Here are some questions that I have asked Hannah:
What problem does your business solve?
I train lawyers on essential professional and business development skills to help them manage their stress and time and to grow their practices.
What was your mission at the start of your company?
To change the culture in law so that stress isn’t part and parcel of the job and no one is leaving the profession because they can’t balance their career with their family life.
Who is your hero?
My husband who has always done his best to support me even when he didn’t understand why I was working so hard. He is there for the kids when I can’t be, I couldn’t do it without him.
What is your biggest fear?
Having regrets
What motivates you to work hard?
Wanting to love my life and work, provide for my family and to make a difference. On different days different ones apply!
What is your favourite thing about your career?
Working with so many great people.
If money was no object, what would you do all day?
What I do, coach and train lawyers and run businesses.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Travelling more but with the same businesses just with less of me in them
What is one thing you will never do again?
Clean my own house (only joking sometimes I have to but my cleaner is essential)
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
It’s been very hard (but then a normal full-time lawyer's job at a large firm would have been even harder). Having to prioritise the business sometimes over the family leaves you open to a great deal of judgment and criticism but I’ve always believed in what I was doing and the family now sees all of the benefits of that.
How do you define success?
Doing work I enjoy, making the income I want to support my family and having quality time with my kids.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Get business coaching/mentoring sooner in my business life.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
A growth mindset - always being willing to learn Resilience for the setbacks
Being a people person
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Dr Joanna Martin of One of Many, a women's coaching and training movement. My life changed when I heard her speak for the first time.
If you had a magic stick, which are the three things you would change in the world?
Get rid of stress. It’s not helpful and not necessary!
4-day working week.
Make meditation a staple part of the working day.
What is the part of your life experience you would alter if you had the chance to?
I wouldn’t have wasted so much money in the early years of my business and would have saved some!
If you were to write a book about yourself, how would you name it? I’ve done it - The Authentic Lawyer :-)
Do you like to have a Photo Session for your Personal Branding?
Contact me today at tova@photosbytova.com
Leah Bookman Makeup artist: +44 7729 833818
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